Naomi Osaka vs Iga Swiatek Prediction & Betting Tips - WTA Miami

Prediction published on 01/04/2022, 06:44  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 01/04/2022 at 08:56 in Tennis Predictions

Iga Swiatek is continuing her incredible run and bids to win a third straight tournament. The second seed takes on unseeded Naomi Osaka in tthe Miami final. Swiatek will be playing her final match before officially taking over as world number one. The Pole is already top of the WTA Race after winning those tournaments in Doha and Indian Wells. The semi-finals of this event in Miami saw her defeat Jessica Pegula in straight sets. That was not just her 16th win in a row but the eighth in a row that has been won without dropping a set. So far in Miami, only 22 games have been lost by Swiatek in her five straight set wins. Before the victory over Pegula in her semi-final, Swiatek had beaten Viktorija Golubic, Madison Brengle, Coco Gauff and Petra Kvitova. This is only her second match against Osaka with the Japanese player beating her in Toronto three years ago.

There may well be a few tears in this match whatever the result. Osaka is no stranger to doing that in her matches and there is always the danger the occasion might get to her. Osaka dropped down the rankings after failing to successfully defend her Australian Open title in February. Before this tournament began, Osaka was down at 77th in the rankings but is back in the top 40 in the live rankings and will climb into the top 30 if winning this final. This is her first final since winning the Australian Open in 2021. Her route to this final has seen victories over Astra Sharma, Angelique Kerber (seeded 13th), a walkover when Karolina Muchova withdrew, Allison Riske, ninth seeded Danielle Collins and in the semi-finals, 22nd seed Belinda Bencic afte losing the first set. Swiatek can be backed to win the title but it's good to see Osaka doing well again.